The breath caught in her chest. A painful tug began pulling her innards into knots so painful she feels like her very lungs were collapsing from the strain.
He looked at Aairah, as if she was the single most enchanting thing to have ever lived. As if she is the only girl alive and he is starving for her. The yearning he couldn't hide, the helpless attraction and the searing intensity of it al, pointed out glaringly that he does in fact, love Aairah.
It's love.
Queen Neemah realized that he wasn't looking for the love of his life. He already found her. But it doesn't make sense! Why did he marry Aaidah? Why did he Keep her if it is Aairah he has wanted in the first place?
She looked over at Aairah, who has suddenly turned into ripe tomato. She has never realized how fair the girl is until now that she is blushing from head to toe. Clearly, she is also affected by that same thread of attraction.
What the hell! Queen Neemah swore inwardly. In an effort to keep her raging emotions caged, she cleared her throat, swallowing something bitter and then said "this is Aairah Hassan Abdulaziz. Aairah, the Enir of Maicki, Aariz Almustapha Fillo" she made the introductions.
The emir finally looked at the watch. And to Neemah's horror, he didn't want the flowery display. He just said "don't exceed your welcome"
Shocked, Aairah stole a look at the queen and saw that her mouth had dropped open in surprise. She thought the emir was being impossibly rude.
The queen laughed it off though. "Fine I am going. Try to get me a son tonight" she teased goodnaturedly. As if he didn't just insult her. Aairah didn't know what is going on but she didn't really like it. Is the emir rude by nature or design? She wondered. And what does the woman mean by 'get me a son?'
When it was just the two of them, he stood up and said "come" and then he walked back to the room he has come out from earlier. She took a deep breath and followed him.
As soon as they entered the room, she saw that it only has a large bed with a sigle chest of drawers. Otherwise, it is bare of any other furniture. She liked the silky texture of the carpets though. It's like stepping on cotton candy. So soft.
She had long reconciled with the fact that the emir will be the one to steal her virtue. So when he asked her to come inside, she automatically assumed he wanted to get it over with. Oh so this is why she needed to get ready, she mused.
He turned around abruptly and she almost hit him because she couldn't stop fast enough. He reached out to steady her. His right hand held her shoulders gently. She instantly felt the touch inside her bloodstream. Aairah shied away immediately. She tried to control her breathing.
"Look at me" he ordered.
Aairah began a prep talk in her mind. 'You want to make Neemah mad. You must act like you like him. It's not a big deal. You do it all the time. It doesn't have to be real'
And when she looked up, she smiled at him hesitantly, as if she is pleased to be here. In return though, his impassive face frowned. He looked away from her, his frown increasing for some unfathomable reason. The guy must be hard to please. Aghast, she considered the fact that of all the insufferable nobility, she had to end up with their master as a husband.
She did notice though, that he looks too young for the age she considered him to be. If she wasn't mistaken, he looks just slightly older than she is. Where did he get the youthful appearance? She grudgingly agreed that perhaps he also eats cameleons. She has heard once that when one eats cameleons, they also appear differently all the time.
She admits that his youthful appearance is a welcome change in her opinion of him. She would have no trouble pretending to like him now that he didnt look like her younger father.
He climbed the bed fully clothed and folded his legs beneath him. Then he used his hand to beckon her close. She truly did not feel danger from him. So she walked over and did as he did. Only, she is facing him now. Her head is lowered. She has never been willingly this close to any male in her twenty two years of age.
And to think he is the emir! It feels strange. This emir that seems like such a normal guy! He has a bare room, wear button down shirts and looks young enough to make one think of normal things like having a conversation with one's husband!
They remained silent for long moments. Until he spoke up and said "you have grown to become a beautiful woman Aairah"
...and have a smooth tongue that says normal romantic things..
Still, she is pleased with the compliment so she murmured a thank you.
"Can...I hug you?" He asked tentatively as if he would stop if she didn't like it.
...and asks for things he can take forcefully..
She flashed him another smile. "I am yours your highness. Of course you can hug me" she stated.
He still hasn't moved. She looked up and their gazes held. He has the most beautiful eyes. They called to her, spoke a language of their own. Yet, she is too afraid to read them.
"Would you want me to hug you?" He clarified. Clearly, he is looking for a different answer than the one she gave him.
...so surprisingly caring..
"Yes" she lied. She dislikes hugs and kisses and general affections which she was never comfortable with.
"Your lie" he stated factually.
Why did she feel butterflies when he said that?
Aairah sighed. He isn't making acting easy that's for sure.
"Do you ask the women in your life permission before you ravage them?" She asked defensively.
He remained silent which made her impossibly nervous more than a few degrees.
Aairah grew tired of the silence sometime later. Its unbearable!
"I think, your highness, you can't have my virtue by looking at me" she announced bravely.
He still remained silent. His gaze is making her feel hot and bothered.
She began to think that maybe he expects her to do something that she didn't know how to do. Oh Allah! The man is impossible! What is she supposed to do? Undress him?! She silently fretted.
"Aren't you going to ravage me?" She asked, genuinely perplexed. She honestly forgot to be shy. That is the truth of it!
He continued to regard her with lazy interest. Aairah groaned. She tried not to think of what she is going to do. She just moved quickly until she is upon him in an instant. She quickly drew his body to her and hugged him. Her mouth moved as she said "there. Let's start" she offered.